U.S. patent application number 10/289012 was filed with the patent office on 2004-05-06 for universal connector for securing bus bars to electrical equipment.
Invention is credited to Brandt, Douglas M., Jur, Arthur J., Meiners, Steven E..
Application Number | 20040087221 10/289012 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32176023 |
Filed Date | 2004-05-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040087221 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Meiners, Steven E. ; et
al. |
May 6, 2004 |
Universal connector for securing bus bars to electrical
equipment
Abstract
An electrical connector may be utilized to connect bus bars
having a wide variety of configurations to a wide variety of
electrical equipment, without modification to the bus bars,
electrical equipment, or connector, with the exception of cutting
the electrical connector to a desired length.
Inventors: |
Meiners, Steven E.;
(Greenwood, SC) ; Jur, Arthur J.; (Greenwood,
SC) ; Brandt, Douglas M.; (Greenwood, SC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Martin J. Moran
Cutler-Hammer, Technology and Quality Center
170 Industry Drive, RIDC Park West
Pittsburgh
PA
15275
US
|
Family ID: |
32176023 |
Appl. No.: |
10/289012 |
Filed: |
November 6, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/798 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01H 9/52 20130101; H01H
71/08 20130101; H02G 5/10 20130101; H02G 5/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
439/798 |
International
Class: |
H01R 011/09 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electrical connector for use between a bus bar system and
electrical equipment, the electrical equipment having at least one
pair of terminals, the bus bar system having a plurality of bus
bars having a thickness, said electrical connector having a
unitary, elongated structure comprising: a pair of first lengthwise
flanges defining a first channel therebetween, said first channel
being dimensioned and configured to receive one of said pair of
terminals; and a plurality of second lengthwise flanges defining
second channels therebetween, each of said second channels having
an open edge and a closed edge, each of said second channels being
dimensioned and configured to receive a bus bar, said second each
having a first width adjacent to said open edge, and a second width
adjacent to said closed edge, said first width being greater than
said second width.
2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein said
first pair of lengthwise flanges define at least one pair of
corresponding apertures, with one of said pair of corresponding
apertures being defined within each of said flanges, said apertures
further being substantially coaxial, said pair of apertures being
dimensioned and configured to receive a bolt therethrough.
3. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein said
second flanges are substantially perpendicular to said first
flanges.
4. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein said
second lengthwise flanges are three in number.
5. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein said
second lengthwise flanges define corresponding apertures, with one
of said corresponding apertures being defined within each of said
flanges, said apertures further being substantially coaxial, said
apertures being dimensioned and configured to receive a bolt
therethrough.
6. The electrical connector according to claim 1, further
comprising means for increasing a surface area for improved
dissipation of heat.
7. The electrical connector according to claim 6, wherein said
means for increasing surface area include at least one third
lengthwise flange.
8. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein said
connector is made from an electrically conductive, easily-cut
material.
9. The electrical connector according to claim 8, wherein said
material is copper.
10. A circuit breaker, comprising: at least one pair of terminals;
a bus bar system having a plurality of bus bars having a thickness;
an electrical connector having a unitary, elongated structure,
comprising: a pair of first lengthwise flanges defining a first
channel therebetween, said first channel being dimensioned and
configured to receive one of said pair of terminals; and a
plurality of second lengthwise flanges defining second channels
therebetween, each of said second channels having an open edge and
a closed edge, each of said second channels being dimensioned and
configured to receive a bus bar, said second each having a first
width adjacent to said open edge, and a second width adjacent to
said closed edge, said first width being greater than said second
width.
11. The circuit breaker according to claim 10, wherein said first
pair of lengthwise flanges define at least one pair of
corresponding apertures, with one of said pair of corresponding
apertures being defined within each of said flanges, said apertures
further being substantially coaxial, said pair of apertures being
dimensioned and configured to receive a bolt therethrough.
12. The circuit breaker according to claim 10, wherein said second
flanges are substantially perpendicular to said first flanges.
13. The circuit breaker according to claim 10, wherein said second
lengthwise flanges are three in number.
14. The circuit breaker according to claim 10, wherein said second
lengthwise flanges define corresponding apertures, with one of said
corresponding apertures being defined within each of said flanges,
said apertures further being substantially coaxial, said apertures
being dimensioned and configured to receive a bolt
therethrough.
15. The circuit breaker according to claim 10, further comprising
means for increasing a surface area for improved dissipation of
heat.
16. The circuit breaker according to claim 15, wherein said means
for increasing surface area include at least one third lengthwise
flange.
17. The circuit breaker according to claim 10, wherein said
connector is made from an electrically conductive, easily-cut
material.
18. The circuit breaker according to claim 17, wherein said
material is copper.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to electrical connectors. More
specifically, the invention provides a connector configured to
provide an electrical connection between a bus system and
electrical equipment drawing power from the bus system.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Single phase and three phase electrical bus systems are
commonly used to carry current between the source and its load,
with various components of electrical equipment located along the
current path for controlling the flow of current. Connecting the
bus bars to various electrical equipment presently requires
offsetting and bending of the bus bars, which must be done in a
different manner for each piece of equipment.
[0005] One example of a presently available apparatus for securing
bus bars to switches is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,205,
issued to D. A. Parks et al. The apparatus includes a mounting
block defining a plurality of bus bar receiving apertures. Each
aperture includes a cylindrical section and a cross shaped section,
dimensioned and configured to support a rectangular bus bar
oriented with its width either substantially horizontal or
substantially vertical. The end of each bus bar includes a
cylindrical locking device, having a snap ring within a
circumferential groove. The center of the locking device includes a
longitudinal threaded bore, for receiving a tapered actuating
member. A pair of actuating pins extend radially outward within the
locking device, between the actuator and the snap ring. Once the
bus bar is inserted within the mounting block, turning the actuator
causes the tapered portion of the actuator to cam the actuator pins
outward, expanding the snap ring against the surface of the
cylindrical portion of the hole within the mounting block, thereby
securing the bus bar in place.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,018,455, issued to W. E. Wilkie, II et al.
on Jan. 25, 2000, describes a heat sink for electrical
conductors.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,040,976, issued to R. W. Bruner et al. on
Mar. 21, 2000, describes a switchgear conductor and a mounting
arrangement for the conductor. The conductor includes a pair of
U-shaped channels, with the open side of the U-shaped channels
facing each other, thereby concentrating conductive material at the
periphery of the conductor, and permitting circulation of air for
cooling. A pair of flat stab conductors is secured to each pair of
U-shaped conductors, extending to a point where they join together
so that they may engage a quick disconnect.
[0008] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an electrical
connection between a bus system and its associated electronic
equipment, capable of being used to electrically connect a wide
variety of bus systems to a wide variety of electrical equipment.
Further, it is desirable to reduce the number of connectors that
must be purchased and stored in order to connect a wide variety of
buses to a wide variety of electrical equipment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention provides a connector for connecting a
wide variety of bus bars to a wide variety of electrical
equipment.
[0010] The connector is an elongated member, made from an
electrically conductive material such as copper. The connector
includes means for connecting to electrical equipment, means for
connecting to bus bars of different thicknesses, and may also
include means for providing cooling. One preferred method of
manufacture is extrusion.
[0011] A preferred means for connecting to the terminals of various
electrical equipment is a pair of flanges, defining a channel
therebetween for receiving a mating terminal of the electrical
equipment. These first flanges may also define a plurality of
holes, thereby permitting a bolt to pass through these holes, and
corresponding holes within the mating terminal of the electrical
equipment, for securing the terminal to its mating contact.
[0012] A preferred means for connecting to bus bars of various
thicknesses includes a plurality of lengthwise flanges, for
example, three flanges, defining bus bar receiving channels
therebetween. In some preferred embodiments, these flanges may be
substantially perpendicular to the first flanges. The second
flanges preferably define channels having a greater width near
their open edge, and a reduced width near their closed edge. A wide
bus bar may thereby be inserted into the wider portion of the
channel, and a narrow bus bar may be inserted farther into the
channel, so that it enters the narrow portion, with the spacer used
within the channel's wider portion. The second flanges may also
define a plurality of bolt-receiving holes for securing the
connector to the bus bars.
[0013] A preferred means for cooling the connector include a
plurality of lengthwise flanges, dimensioned and configured to
increase the surface area of the connector, thereby permitting more
rapid heat transfer between the connector and the surrounding
air.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a connector according to the
present invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is an end view of a connector according to the
present invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a side view of a pair of connectors according to
the present invention, used in conjunction with bus bars having a
first thickness, and electrical equipment.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a side view of a pair of connectors, a set of bus
bars having a second thickness, and associated electrical
equipment.
[0018] Like reference numbers denote like elements throughout the
drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] The present invention provides an electrical connector for
connecting a wide variety of bus assemblies to a wide variety of
electrical equipment.
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the electrical connector 10 is
an elongated member having means for connecting to an electrical
terminal of an item of electrical equipment, for example, a circuit
breaker, and means for connecting to a bus system.
[0021] Preferred means for connecting to an electrical contact of
electrical equipment include a pair of lengthwise flanges 12, 14,
defining a channel 16 therebetween. The channel 16 is dimensioned
and configured to receive a mating terminal on a piece of
electrical equipment. The flanges 12, 14 each preferably define a
plurality of apertures 18, dimensioned and configured to receive a
bolt.
[0022] A preferred means for connecting to a bus system include a
plurality of flanges, for example, three flanges, 20, 22, 24. The
flanges 20, 22, 24 define channels 26, 28 therebetween, dimensioned
and configured to receive bus bars of varying thicknesses. The
channels 26, 28 preferably each define a wide portion 30 adjacent
to their open edge 32, and a narrow portion 34 adjacent to their
closed edge 36. The flanges 20, 22, 24 preferably also define
apertures 38, dimensioned and configured to receive a bolt. In many
preferred embodiments, the flanges 20, 22, 24 will be substantially
perpendicular to the flanges 12, 14.
[0023] The connector 10 may also include means for dissipating
heat, for example, a plurality of flanges 40, 42, dimensioned and
configured to increase the surface area of the connector 10.
Although two flanges 40, 42 are illustrated, any number may be
used. By increasing the surface area of the electrical connector
10, the flanges 40, 42 cause an increased rate of heat
dissipation.
[0024] The connector 10 may be made from any electrically
conductive material that is also easily cut to a desired size, with
one example being copper. A preferred method of making a connector
10 is by extrusion.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 3, a connector 10 is illustrated forming
an electrical connection between bus bars 44 and a terminal for an
electrical component, which in the illustrated example is a stab
extension 46 of a circuit breaker 48. It is well known in the art
of circuit breakers to provide for disconnection of a circuit
breaker prior to opening its cabinet and servicing the breaker by
moving the circuit breaker from its rearward, operating position
within the cabinet to a forward, disconnected position. At least
one pair of quick disconnects on the rear of the circuit breaker
will be electrically coupled with a pair of corresponding stabs
within the breaker cabinet when the circuit breaker is in its
rearward position, thereby providing for current flow through the
circuit breaker. Moving the circuit breaker forward within the
cabinet disconnects the quick disconnects from the stabs, thereby
preventing current flow through the circuit breaker. In a typical
three-phase system, three pairs of quick disconnects and three
pairs of corresponding stabs will be provided. It is therefore
necessary to provide for electrical connection between one stab
within each pair and the bus bars leading to the power supply, and
also to provide electrical connection between the other of each
pair of stabs and the bus bars leading to the load protected by the
circuit breaker.
[0026] Each stab extension 46 fits within a channel 16 defined
within a connector 10. The stab extension 46 and connector 10 are
secured together by a bolt 50 passing through the apertures 18
defined within the flanges 12 and 14, and through corresponding
apertures within the stab extension 46. Likewise, line bus bars 44
and load bus bars 45 are secured within the channels 26, 28 of the
connector 10, with a bolt 52 passing through the apertures 38
defined within the flanges 20, 22, 24, and corresponding apertures
within the line and load bus bars 44, 45. The line bus bars 44 and
load bus bars 45 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 are relatively wide,
and therefore fit only within the wide portion 30 of the channels
26, 28.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 4, the connectors 10 are used to connect
another set of line bus bars 54 and load bus bars 56 to the stab
extensions 46 of a circuit breaker 48. The illustrated bus bars 54,
56 are narrower than the bus bars 44, 45, and therefore extend into
the narrow portions 34 of the channels 26, 28. Spacers 58 may be
inserted into the wide portions 30 of the channels 28, so that the
bus bars 54, 56 and spacers 58 take up the entire channels 26, 28,
maximizing the cross-sectional area available or current flow.
[0028] While a specific embodiment of the invention has been
described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the
art that various modifications and alternatives to those details
could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the
disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are
meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of
the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the appended
claims and any and all equivalents thereof.
* * * * *